Zico of Block B said Friday he has established his own label, KOZ Entertainment, about two months after he announced he would work independently without an agency.

According to the rapper-producer, KOZ stands for “King of the Zungle,” which reflects his will to survive in the jungle-like K-pop scene.

Having become a household name in the local industry over the past eight years, Zico plans to cultivate new artists and join forces with other producers to expand his horizons as a producer. He will head the new entertainment agency.

Zico was originally from the underground hip-hop scene and made his debut with Block B in April 2011, also producing the group’s first EP, “Welcome to the Block.”

With hits like “Tough Cookie,” “Artist” and “SoulMate,” the musician has regularly topped Korean music charts and has been nominated and awarded at several award shows.

In November last year, Zico left his agency Seven Seasons after his five-year contract expired. He is currently working on a new album.

By Hong Dam-young (lotus@heraldcorp.com)